Michael Jarboe Sheehan
Encyclopedia
Michael Jarboe Sheehan is an American
prelate
of the Roman Catholic Church
. He is the eleventh and current Archbishop of Santa Fe
, having previously served as Bishop of Lubbock
from 1983 to 1993.
to John and Mildred (née Jarboe) Sheehan, and raised in Texarkana, Texas
. He attended both St. John's High School Seminary and Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas
. He then furthered his studies in Rome
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, from where he obtained a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
in 1965. Sheehan was ordained
to the priesthood
in Rome on July 12, 1964.
Upon his return to the United States
, he served as parochial vicar
at Immaculate Conception Parish in Tyler
from 1965 to 1968. Returning to Rome, he earned a doctorate in canon law
from the Pontifical Lateran University
in 1971. Sheehan served as Assistant General Secretary
of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference
from 1971 to 1976, and as rector
of Holy Trinity Seminary
in Dallas
from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, he was named pastor
of Immaculate Conception Parish in Grand Prairie
.
by Pope John Paul II
. He received his episcopal consecration
on the following June 17 from Archbishop Patrick Flores
, with Bishops Leroy Matthiesen
and Thomas Tschoepe
serving as co-consecrators
. He selected as his episcoapl motto
: "Love One Another Constantly."
Following the resignation of Robert Sanchez, he became Apostolic Administrator
of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
on April 6, 1993.
on August 17, 1993. He was formally installed
as Archbishop on September 21 of that year.
Sheehan became Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Phoenix
on June 18, 2003, after Thomas J. O'Brien
resigned in disgrace. He resigned as Apostolic Administrator upon the appointment of fellow Kansan, Thomas J. Olmsted
, on the following November 25.
In addition to his native English, he speaks Italian
and Spanish
.
for having President
Barack Obama
deliver its commencement speech and receive an honorary degree
. Sheehan also said the Catholic community risks isolating itself from the rest of the country and that refusing to talk to a politician
or refusing Communion because of a difference on a single issue was counterproductive.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
prelate
Prelate
A prelate is a high-ranking member of the clergy who is an ordinary or who ranks in precedence with ordinaries. The word derives from the Latin prælatus, the past participle of præferre, which means "carry before", "be set above or over" or "prefer"; hence, a prelate is one set over others.-Related...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
. He is the eleventh and current Archbishop of Santa Fe
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the southwestern region of the United States in the state of New Mexico. While the motherchurch, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, is in the City of Santa Fe, its administrative center is in...
, having previously served as Bishop of Lubbock
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock is a Roman Catholic diocese in Texas. It was founded on March 25, 1983. The Diocese of Lubbock—encompassing 25 counties on the Llano Estacado and Rolling Plains of West Texas—is a church of 83,000 Roman Catholics who gather in 62 parish churches as of June of...
from 1983 to 1993.
Early life and ministry
Michael Sheehan was born in Wichita, KansasWichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
to John and Mildred (née Jarboe) Sheehan, and raised in Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana, Texas
Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It effectively functions as one half of a city which crosses a state line — the other half, the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, lies on the other side of State Line Avenue...
. He attended both St. John's High School Seminary and Assumption Seminary in San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
. He then furthered his studies in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, from where he obtained a Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology
Licentiate of Sacred Theology is the title of the second cycle of studies of a Faculty of Theology offered by a pontifical universities or ecclesiastical faculties of sacred theology. An Ecclesiastical Faculty offers three cycles of study: Baccalaureate or fundamentals, Licentiate or specialized,...
in 1965. Sheehan was ordained
Holy Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
to the priesthood
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
in Rome on July 12, 1964.
Upon his return to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he served as parochial vicar
Curate
A curate is a person who is invested with the care or cure of souls of a parish. In this sense "curate" correctly means a parish priest but in English-speaking countries a curate is an assistant to the parish priest...
at Immaculate Conception Parish in Tyler
Tyler, Texas
Tyler is a city in and the county seat of Smith County, Texas, in the United States. It takes its name from President John Tyler . The city had a population of 109,000 in 2010, according to the United States Census Bureau...
from 1965 to 1968. Returning to Rome, he earned a doctorate in canon law
Doctor of Canon Law
Doctor of Canon Law is the doctoral-level terminal degree in the studies of canon law of the Roman Catholic Church.It may also be abbreviated I.C.D. or dr.iur.can. , ICDr., D.C.L., D.Cnl., D.D.C., or D.Can.L. . Doctor of both laws are J.U.D...
from the Pontifical Lateran University
Pontifical Lateran University
The Pontifical Lateran University is a university by pontifical right based in Rome, Italy. The university also hosts the central session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family...
in 1971. Sheehan served as Assistant General Secretary
General Secretary
The office of general secretary is staffed by the chief officer of:*The General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace, a government agency for the Greek regions of Macedonia and Thrace...
of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops/United States Catholic Conference
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is the episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in the United States. Founded in 1966 as the joint National Conference of Catholic Bishops and United States Catholic Conference, it is composed of all active and retired members of the Catholic...
from 1971 to 1976, and as rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
of Holy Trinity Seminary
Holy Trinity Seminary
Holy Trinity Seminary is a Roman Catholic seminary residence in Irving, Texas, United States, in the Diocese of Dallas, Texas that is located within the University of Dallas campus. University of Dallas is an independent Catholic University with strong ties to the Diocese of Dallas...
in Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
from 1976 to 1982. In 1982, he was named pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of Immaculate Conception Parish in Grand Prairie
Grand Prairie, Texas
Grand Prairie is a city in Dallas, Ellis, and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas and is a part of the Mid-Cities region in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Grand Prairie is a suburb of both Dallas and Fort Worth and had a population of 175,396 at the 2010 census.- History :The city of...
.
Bishop of Lubbock
On March 25, 1983, Sheehan was appointed the founding Bishop of LubbockRoman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Lubbock is a Roman Catholic diocese in Texas. It was founded on March 25, 1983. The Diocese of Lubbock—encompassing 25 counties on the Llano Estacado and Rolling Plains of West Texas—is a church of 83,000 Roman Catholics who gather in 62 parish churches as of June of...
by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
. He received his episcopal consecration
Bishop (Catholic Church)
In the Catholic Church, a bishop is an ordained minister who holds the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders and is responsible for teaching the Catholic faith and ruling the Church....
on the following June 17 from Archbishop Patrick Flores
Patrick Flores
Patrick Fernández Flores , is a Roman Catholic cleric and was Archbishop of San Antonio from 1979 until 2004. Flores was the first Mexican American to become a bishop of the Roman Catholic Church.-Early life:...
, with Bishops Leroy Matthiesen
Leroy Matthiesen
Leroy Matthiesen was a theologian, political and social activist, and the retired Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Amarillo, Texas....
and Thomas Tschoepe
Thomas Ambrose Tschoepe
Thomas Ambrose Tschoepe was the second Roman Catholic bishop of San Angelo, Texas and the fifth bishop of Dallas, Texas....
serving as co-consecrators
Consecrator
Consecrator is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to designate a bishop who ordains a priest to the episcopal state. The term is often used in Eastern Rite Churches and in Anglican communities. The term "Principal Consecrator" is used to designate the primary bishop who ordains a new bishop...
. He selected as his episcoapl motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
: "Love One Another Constantly."
Following the resignation of Robert Sanchez, he became Apostolic Administrator
Apostolic Administrator
An apostolic administrator in the Roman Catholic Church is a prelate appointed by the Pope to serve as the ordinary for an apostolic administration...
of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the southwestern region of the United States in the state of New Mexico. While the motherchurch, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, is in the City of Santa Fe, its administrative center is in...
on April 6, 1993.
Archbishop of Santa Fe
Sheehan was later named the eleventh Archbishop of Santa FeRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the southwestern region of the United States in the state of New Mexico. While the motherchurch, the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, is in the City of Santa Fe, its administrative center is in...
on August 17, 1993. He was formally installed
Enthronement
An enthronement is a ceremony of inauguration, involving a person—usually a monarch or religious leader—being formally seated for the first time upon their throne. This ritual is generally distinguished from a coronation because there is no crown or other regalia that is physically...
as Archbishop on September 21 of that year.
Sheehan became Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Phoenix
Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix
-History:The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix in Arizona is a particular church of the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. It was established on December 2, 1969 when it was split off of the Diocese of Tucson...
on June 18, 2003, after Thomas J. O'Brien
Thomas J. O'Brien (bishop)
Thomas Joseph O'Brien is a former American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Phoenix from 1982 to 2003.-Early life and ministry:...
resigned in disgrace. He resigned as Apostolic Administrator upon the appointment of fellow Kansan, Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas J. Olmsted
Thomas Olmsted is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the fourth and current Bishop of Phoenix, having previously served as Bishop of Wichita from 2001 to 2003.-Early life:...
, on the following November 25.
In addition to his native English, he speaks Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
and Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
.
Pro-choice politicians at Catholic universities
In August 2009, he decried the attacks by some of his fellow bishops on the University of Notre DameUniversity of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
for having President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
deliver its commencement speech and receive an honorary degree
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
. Sheehan also said the Catholic community risks isolating itself from the rest of the country and that refusing to talk to a politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
or refusing Communion because of a difference on a single issue was counterproductive.